Dual-purpose sports cars were not new to Ferrari when the 275 GTB debuted in 1964. But what was innovative in this car, along with the first fully independent suspension and rear transaxle, is the design. The Ferrari 275 GTB perfectly blended the racing characteristics with styling in a road car.
When the 275 GTB came to be, it was clear the tamed gran turismo is more than a racer with some extra seats you can drive daily. Did that thrill the public? Most certainly. Following its predecessor, the magnificent 250 GTO, the 275 GTB had the same mix of power and beautiful styling we still love today.
But what features made the Ferrari 275 GTB such an amazing car? What components allowed perfectly balanced power and extravagant looks? Today, we list some of the best features of the Ferrari 275 GTB that made it impressive back in the day, stand the test of time, and remain attractive and desired today.
The Ferrari 275 GTB Has An Extravagant And Purposeful Exterior
We know it may sound like a cliché, but handsome look is one of the best features of the Ferrari 275 GTB. This impressive sports car was designed by Pininfarina and produced by Scaglietti. It had a steel body with aluminum alloy doors, a hood, and a trunk lid.
In essence, the Ferrari 275 GTB is a two-seat grand touring coupe produced between 1964 and 1966. Race-inspired as it was, the car was all about power and purpose. Even at that, the looks didn't suffer — on the contrary. The 275 GTB has an elegant exterior that influenced it being perceived as one of the best Ferraris ever made.
The Berlinetta (in Italian, a sports coupe) came with recessed and glass-covered headlights, an egg crate aluminum grille, a set-back cabin, and a cut tail with simple taillights. Lightweight as it was, the 275 GTB stood as an embodiment of style perfectly molded for performance purposes. Accordingly, the 1965 Ferrari 275 GTB received a longer nose than its sibling from the previous year to improve the aerodynamics, gaining the name "long nose."
So, when exploring the Ferrari 275 GTB, it's hard to overlook its resemblance to the 250 GTO. Still, the former did get quite a few updates to appear more aggressive. Both the "short nose" and the "long nose" models, how people started to call them, were bold and more modern compared to the previous series.
The Interior Of The Ferrari 275 GTB Is Simple But Beautiful
There's something truly special in classic car's interiors. We have gotten so accustomed to high-end tech interiors and all their benefits (think navigation, safety features, and advanced sound systems) that we often overlook the advantages of simplicity. And that's exactly what the Ferrari 275 GTB offers.
The interior of the Ferrari 275 GBT is incredibly simple, but it breathes elegance and brings joy. We can easily say this styling showcased in the photo above is one of the most beautiful we've seen in Ferrari cabins. The leather bucket seats, the wood-rimmed steering wheel, and a long shifter bring back the memory of simpler times when more (features) didn't necessarily mean a better experience.
All things considered, it comes as no surprise that the Ferrari 275 GTB is available at about $1 million and sometimes even as high as $3 million. One can hardly be shocked by the price when such wonderful styling enriches the Ferrari icon.
The Drivetrain Still Makes Us Want To Have The Ferrari 275 GTB
Now, all the talk about looks aside, the beauty is not all there is to the Ferrari 275 GTB. We would not do this iconic sports car justice if we overlooked the drivetrain as one of its best features. In the end, we are talking about Ferrari, right?
So, let's explore some rough numbers. Ferrari put the 3.3-liter V12 under the hood of the 1964 Ferrari 275 GTB. This engine could crank up 280 horsepower and achieve the top speed of 160 mph. With some tuning, the V12 could even go to 300 horsepower.
Nonetheless, the 1966 model was introduced with exterior updates, and it didn't only get the "long nose" nickname but more power as well. The long nose Ferrari 256 GTB could produce 300 horsepower in the standard trim, which was later renamed into the 275 GTB/4.
As we mentioned in the beginning, some of the most important new features of the 275 GTB specs-wise were the rear-mounted gearbox and independent rear suspension. Ferrari replaced a conventional transmission with a transaxle to ensure better weight distribution. Some other smaller tweaks also helped make the Ferrari 275 GTB an example of a classic car with extraordinary power, handling, and comfort at the time.